Getty Images and Rachel Iorfino
As the weather warms, snakes start moving. While they can be tricky to spot, dogs usually find them first.
During the summer of 2024, I was walking my big dog, Billy, on his usual route through the park and into the cemetery when he suddenly collapsed and couldn’t get up. We rushed him to the emergency vet, where an initial check found nothing wrong. It wasn’t until he started to recover that the vet took a closer look and found a tiny puncture wound on his leg. It was a snake bite.
A blood test showed the snake wasn’t venomous, so Billy didn’t need antivenom. But it was a frightening reminder of how easy it is to miss the signs of a snake bite in dogs, and how important it is to act fast.
I know firsthand how scary it can be, so I spoke with RSPCA NSW Chief Veterinarian Dr Liz Arnott about the signs to look for, what to do if a snake bites your dog, and how vets treat envenomation.
Here’s what every dog owner needs to know before snake season really kicks in.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Signs of a snake bite in dogs include collapse, dilated pupils, weakness and dark urine.
- Symptoms can appear within minutes or hours, so see a vet straight away.
- Keep your dog calm, and don’t wash the wound or use a tourniquet.
- Vets treat snake bites with antivenom, and the sooner the better.
Signs of snake bite in dogs
Signs and symptoms for different pet illnesses can look quite similar. So it’s important to watch out for multiple symptoms. Some of the clearest signs of a snake bite are collapse (sometimes with apparent quick recovery), sudden weakness, and dilated pupils. Here are all the signs that your dog may have been bitten by a snake:
- Collapse followed by apparent recovery
- Lethargy
- Muscle tremors, shaking, and reduced eye blinking
- Dilated pupils
- Sudden onset of weakness/wobbliness (ataxia)
- Complete paralysis
- Inability to control bladder and bowels
- Irregular bleeding from the nose, bite site, or mouth
- Discoloured, dark urine (often bloody)
What to do if a snake bites your dog
The first and most important thing to do if a snake bites your dog is to stay calm. When you stay calm, your dog will too. Follow these steps if you are ever in this situation:
Stay calm
Staying calm is imperative. This is because staying calm will keep your dog calm and settled. Dr Arnott explains keeping yourself calm and quiet “encourages your pet to do the same, which is beneficial to limiting the circulation of venom.”
In my own dog’s case, he was very quiet and wouldn’t move from the ground anyway. After checking in with our vet, we hauled all 45 kg of him into the car and took him to the clinic for a check-up.
Seek veterinary advice immediately
If you believe your dog has a snake bite, call your current vet or the nearest emergency vet. They will most likely tell you to come in immediately and advise you on what to do next. Not all vet clinics are open in the evening or on weekends, so keep an emergency vet number handy, just in case.
Identify the snake
Identifying the snake can be helpful. This is because there are different antivenoms for different snake species. A blood or urine test can identify whether your pet has been bitten by a snake and, if so, which type.
Tend to the wound
If you can, it’s best to head straight to the veterinarian. If you’re waiting for a pick-up or the wound is open, you can dress it. Dr Arnott stresses that washing the wound can be detrimental, as venom residue can be used to identify which snake bit your dog.
You can apply direct pressure to the bite site with a bandage, but it’s important NOT to apply a tourniquet, as it limits fresh blood supply to the area. If a bite is on or around the head, it may be difficult to apply pressure and bandage it. And never, ever try to suck the venom out!
How will the vet treat a dog with a snake bite?
Dr Arnott explains that vets can treat an envenomated animal in a variety of ways. Most vets, especially in rural and snake-heavy areas, will have access to anti-venom. In addition to anti-venom, a vet can administer respiratory support, blood transfusions and intensive supportive care to fight against snake venom.
While the expense can add up at the end of treatment, these complex treatments are necessary to save your pet’s life. For additional information, head to the RSPCA NSW website to learn more about envenomation and dogs.
How snake bites affect dogs
Most snake bites on Australian dogs come from elapids such as brown snakes and tiger snakes, and their venom attacks the body in several ways at once. The biggest danger is to the nerves. Owners often first notice dilated pupils, wobbliness, and weakness. This can progress to full paralysis, and in severe cases the muscles that control breathing stop working.
The venom can also disrupt the blood’s ability to clot. That’s why some dogs bleed from the nose, mouth or bite site, although obvious bleeding is less common in dogs than in people.
Some venoms also break down muscle tissue, releasing a protein that turns urine dark brown or even black. In severe cases, this muscle breakdown can damage the kidneys. If you think your dog has been bitten by a snake, call your local vet immediately.
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